Solid lubricating compound



Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT LOUIS A. WALKER, 0F FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA,ASSIGNOR TO THE FRANKLIN RAILWAY OIL COMPANY, OF FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA,A GGRFQRATIQN 0J5 DELAWARE.

SOLID LUBRICATING COMPOUND.

Per cent. Paraflin-base cylinder stock 4S) Stea-ric acid 39.25 Alkali(e. g. caustic soda) 7 ater 4.75

These ingredients are compounded and mingled in an open-top,steam-jacketed kettle having a capacity of not less than four times thebulk of the original batch of ingredients so that the mass may notoverflow the kettle during the interval of reaction due tosaponification.

Said ingredients are charged into the kettle as, and in the order namedand in the course of such charging temperatures are maintained asfollows:

The stearic acid is first placed in the kettle and a suitable degree ofsteam heat is applied to melt the same, but the degree of heat at thisstage should not exceed 200 l The cylinder stock is next added. at whichinterval the degree of heat remains the same: Agitation is employedthroughout. this interval.

The alkali in solution with the amount of water previously ,Q'lVGIl islastly added. agitation beingcontinued throughout this interval. andthereafter to the end ol the compounding process.

As the alkali solution is added a vigorous reaction of saponification isset up and this causes an autogenous generation of heat whereby thetemperature of the mass is raised to approximately 230 F.

Throughout this interval of reaction water is expelled from the mass indense clouds of 21, 1925, Serial No. 70,688.

steam. Reaction is further indicated and attended byan intense foamingand a very material increase in the bulk of the mass. The steam heatapplied during this interval must be carefully regulated in order thatthe hatch may not. overflow the kettle.

A completion of the reaction of saponification is indicated by acessation of increase in the bulk of the mass. and at the point of suchcessation pressure of steam in the jack et of the kettle is raised tothe final pressure of approxin'iately 110 pounds which is equivalent toa heat of 345 F., and this degree of heat is utilized for the purpose ofcooking the compound.

Agitation is continued throughoutthe cooking process. which is continueduntil the hatch indicates a tendency to draw away from the sides of thekettle, to ball up on the agitator and to be moved en-mass thereby, thusindicating a completion of the process of compounding and a proper andsuitable condition of the compound.

The CO111)OU1](l produced as above stated is What is lxnown as a fibrouslubricant, it has a density approximately equal to that of a laundrysoap and aives the following analysis:

Per cent.

Cylinder stock S dium stearate M 46.0 Free alkali 00.5 ater 1.0

In specifying the proportions of ingredients originally entering into mycompound. due consideration is had tor the fact that cylinder stock mayvary somewhat as to its fire test, and the prruiortions specifiedcontemplate a stock havinga fire test. of

(500 F. F or further characteristics of cyl that this compound depositsupon the surfaces to be lubricated, a better film ofglubricant than hasheretofore been possible to attain in the class of service in which thecompound is most largely used.

Furthermore, I have definitely ascertained that when my improvedcompound is used in the bearings of locomotive drivin journals that arelocated adjacent the fire-box and ash pan of the boiler, this lubricantis not impalred by the action of the excessive heat at these points,hence, in this further respect it is an improvement over previouscompounds; said fibrous structure having been produced in the process ofmanufacture by both the reaction of saponification and agitation.

I claim the following:

1. A solid lubricant consistin of, a paraffin base cylinder stock.approximately 52%, sodium stearate approximately 46.5%, free alkali 0.5%and water 1%.

2. A solid lubricant having a fibrous structure and consisting of aparaffin base cylinder stock 52%, a higher fatty acid soap 46.5%, freealkali 0.5% and water 1%.

3. A solid lubricant, compounded by means of the agencies of heat,saponifica tion and agitation from parafiin base cylinder stock 49%,stearic acid 39.25%, caustic soda 7%, vater 4.75%, the resultingcompound havmg an analysis as follows,--

Per cent. .larafiin base cylinder stock 52 Sodium stearate 46.5 Freealkali 0.5 ater 1 Per cent. Paraffin base cylinder stock 49 Stearic acid39.25 Caustic soda 7 ater 4.75

the resulting compound havin a fibrous structure and the followmg anays1s,-

. Per cunt. Mineral oil 52 Higher fatty acid soap 46.5 Free alkali 0.5\Vater 1.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LOUIS A. WALKER.

